INEC’s albatross: The crisis of electoral trust, By Dakuku Peterside

The credibility of Nigeria's democracy hinges on the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) ability to restore electoral trust, a challenge amplified by the failures of the 2023 general election. What appears as voter apathy is often a rational response to a perceived lack of impact, stemming from frustration and a sense of abandonment when citizens believe their votes may not count.

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When citizens believe their votes matter, hope drives them; when manipulation seems possible, disengagement follows, not from disdain for democracy, but from a sense of abandonment and frustration.

INEC's role extends beyond mere election management; it is the institution that validates democratic legitimacy. Its conduct dictates whether elections are accepted or dismissed as mere rituals. The 2023 election, intended to usher in an era of transparency with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and the Result Viewing Portal, ultimately collapsed where it mattered most. The failure to upload presidential results in real-time, attributed by INEC to an "HTTP error," shattered expectations, particularly among younger voters who had hoped technology would curb manipulation.

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The Commission is not just an election manager; it is the institution that confers democratic legitimacy.

The breach of trust has had institutional consequences. The European Union Election Observation Mission recommended clearer laws, transparent appointments, and real-time result publication. Rebuilding this trust requires more than statements; it demands consistent, transparent actions. The upcoming 2027 elections will be a critical test of INEC's credibility and, by extension, the survival of Nigerian democracy. Even the appointment of new leadership, like Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, cannot erase past doubts without a demonstrable track record of consistent, ethical conduct. Controversies, such as those surrounding social media allegations against the new chairman and INEC's handling of party disputes like the ADC leadership issue, highlight how quickly disinformation can spread and fuel conflict when trust is weak. Procedural fairness must be visibly demonstrated, not just claimed, to begin the arduous process of rebuilding public confidence.

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Once trust is broken on such a large scale, it cannot be restored by statements alone; only consistent, transparent actions can begin to rebuild it.